By Angela L. Bos, Daphne Joanna van der Pas and Loes Aaldering
If U.S. voters elect Kamala Harris – a Black, Asian American woman – president, it would be historic on multiple levels. This is now a real possibility due to voters’ positively evolving stereotypes of women politicians.
Stereotypes have long hindered female candidates, casting them as emotional, weak and sensitive. But now our political science research shows that voters in the U.S. increasingly see women leaders as synonymous with political leadership – and as more effective than men politicians.
This transformation reflects a broader change in what voters expect in political leaders. They are now more likely to see a woman candidate as a better “fit” for public office. This might help pave the way for Harris to break through the highest glass ceiling in U.S. politics.
The classic double bind
Gender stereotypes are the assumptions and expectations people have about men and women. They traditionally present an obstacle for women leaders, including in politics.
Among the many barriers to a woman becoming president in the U.S. are voters’ gender stereotypes. Men are generally assumed to have masculine traits such as being ambitious and competitive, while women are assumed to possess feminine traits such as being warm and compassionate. In applying gender stereotypes to politicians, voters end up with very different expectations for men and women candidates.
Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images
This presents a classic double bind for women leaders. If they behave like leaders and act dominantly and assertively, they violate expectations of femininity. But if they behave in a stereotypical way, they are not seen as strong leaders.
The double bind extends to politics. It was long the case that stereotypes of men politicians, but not women politicians, aligned with the leadership qualities that voters desire in political leaders. These traits include competence, strong leadership, empathy and integrity. A 2011 study showed that stereotypes of women politicians lacked clarity, meaning people had no clear expectations. Voters also did not see women politicians in alignment with those same four leadership qualities that voters seek.
But by 2021, prominent women political leaders such as Hillary Clinton, Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi had reshaped the landscape for women seeking office by shaping and solidifying public expectations.
More women politicians in the spotlight
More women have assumed political leadership roles in the U.S. over the past decade than in previous decades. The number of women in Congress increased from 90 to 145 between the 111th Congress, which met from 2009 to 2011, to the 117th Congress, which met from 2021 to 2023.
In addition, high-profile women politicians such as Democrats Pelosi and Clinton, as well as Liz Cheney, a Republican, have received considerable attention from both the media and the electorate. Gender stereotypes about women politicians evolved from being ambiguous to becoming both well defined and positive as voters grew more familiar with them. This has created a political landscape for Harris today that is notably different from the early 2010s.
We are political scientists whose research examines how gender stereotypes affect women’s political underrepresentation. In 2021, we conducted a study of how voters’ gender stereotypes of politicians had evolved over the previous decade. These are the three main lessons:
1. Stereotypes of women politicians are increasingly positive
A decade ago, people did not agree on the traits that defined women politicians. While some people described them as tough, others thought they were weak. Similarly, some reported them as rational, while others saw them as unable to separate feelings from ideas. There were no traits that large groups of people agreed upon to describe women politicians.
But our study shows that voters now hold clear and positive stereotypes of them.
When asked about the traits they associate with women politicians, respondents listed positive traits such as intelligent, rational, analytical, ambitious and moral. At the same time, women politicians are least associated with negative traits such as being weak and spineless.
Image Source/Getty Images
2. Stereotypes of men politicians have shifted to increased negativity and distrust
Male politicians were previously seen as confident, well educated, charismatic and driven. But there’s bad news for men in politics: This perception has shifted. Our study revealed that stereotypes of male politicians became much more negative over the decade we studied.
Today, male politicians are more commonly viewed as power-hungry, selfish, manipulative and self-interested. They are least associated with traits such as being sympathetic or caring about “people like me.” This indicates that voters have become more negative and distrustful toward male politicians.
3. Women politicians have gained ground on leadership perceptions, surpassing men politicians
In the past, stereotypes of women politicians were incompatible with leadership stereotypes. But our study shows that this mismatch has subsided. In fact, between 2011 and 2021, scores for women politicians increased on all four leadership traits valued by voters: competence, leadership, empathy and integrity.
Men politicians, in contrast, have lost ground on all four leadership traits. Women politicians now surpass men politicians in three out of the four leadership traits: competence, empathy and integrity. Expectations of men politicians concerning the fourth trait, strong leadership, are now equal to those of female politicians.
Kamala Harris may benefit
Gender stereotypes have long hindered women seeking political office, but more women in prominent leadership positions have fostered positive stereotype change.
Granted, highly visible women leaders such as Pelosi and Clinton excite both admiration and intense dislike. But seeing them and many other examples in their wake has familiarized voters with women holding power in politics. Voters are thus now more likely to view women candidates like Harris as fitting into leadership roles such as the presidency.
With growing distrust in politics, and of male politicians specifically, women political leaders – who are viewed as agents of change – may have an opportunity to restore trust in politics.
Angela L. Bos is Dean and Professor at the School of Public Service at Boise State University. Daphne Joanna van der Pas is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. Loes Aaldering is Associate Professor in Comparative Politics at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
The Conversation arose out of deep-seated concerns for the fading quality of our public discourse and recognition of the vital role that academic experts could play in the public arena. Information has always been essential to democracy. It’s a societal good, like clean water. But many now find it difficult to put their trust in the media and experts who have spent years researching a topic. Instead, they listen to those who have the loudest voices. Those uninformed views are amplified by social media networks that reward those who spark outrage instead of insight or thoughtful discussion. The Conversation seeks to be part of the solution to this problem, to raise up the voices of true experts and to make their knowledge available to everyone. The Conversation publishes nightly at 9 p.m. on FlaglerLive.
Sinan Wiese says
Women are now in many C level positions in Corporate America – CEO, CFO, etc. and they seem to be doing quite well. If there is a choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump it’s a no brainer. She is totally qualified while he is not qualified mentally, physically, or emotionally. She is for the people while he is for himself as his malignant narcissism dictates.
Doug says
There are many intelligent women who are potential Presidential candidates, however, Kamala Harris isn’t one of them and never will be.
S. Peters says
And why is that?
Judith G. Michaud says
And Trump is, Doug?? Boy are we in trouble with folks like you! She is more than qualified! She has the brains and the insight to help all Americans, unlike Trump who will spend his time retaliating against his “enemies! Wake up before it’s too late !
Whathehck? says
This is good news! Our country has officially entered the 21st century where real strong men support strong women.
How encouraging to see that integrity and respect for our Constitution are again values.
Land of no turn signals says says
YES,but not this one! I will be waiting to read her book ( when somebody writes for her) on how to rise to the top but doing nothing. .
Mark says
Like DJT did, got it.
Laurel says
Land: You, and a few others, give no legitimate examples to back your accusations. One does not become an Attorney General elected in a state of 40,000,000 people. You just throw your comment out there like it has real meaning. I see none.
Bill C. says
I love the way those of you disqualify her citing some intellectual deficiencies you seem to think she has. What measuring stick are you rating her with? When somebody write a book for her? You sound nonsensical. The choice this Election Day is binary. What is missing in this article is an up-to-date analysis of voters like you, who cast baseless aspersions simply because you can (and because she is a woman). But not this one? So, a “not so smart” woman (according to you), isn’t a better choice than a felonious, sexual offender who paid hush money to porn stars, cheated on his wife while she was in labor, allowed his grifter family access to the White House and has displayed a lack of intelligence about numerous and sundry subjects. I’d love to see your definition of intellect.
Jason Barton says
Kamala Harris is the only presidential candidate to have experience in all 3 branch’s of government. I have faith that she will fill her cabinet with qualified individuals. We all remember the parade of idiots that Drumpf filled his cabinet with, some of them didn’t last long enough for a green banana to get ripe. Scaramucci lasted a whole 10 days. Michael Flynn made it to day 24.
TR says
Unfortunately you are talking about the wrong branches. She climbed her way to the top of the ugly tree and slipped and fell. Hitting ever branch on the way down and also knocked out her brains. She is no way qualified to be President. But I’m hoping some day a well qualified and respected woman runs for the position. Unfortunately Kamala is not that one.
Sherry says
@tr. . . cite “credible facts” for your absolutely ridiculous claims that Kamala Harris is not qualified to be President! Before that. . . carefully read her resume, and then read it again because I certain you did not see any of this vital information of Fox. After you have thoroughly understood her impressive credentials, please come back to us with your “credible facts” that PROVE she is not qualified. I will wait, but I will certainly not hold my breath.
Read This At Least Twice. . . “I Dare You”:
Kamala Harris an attorney who has been the 49th and current vice president of the United States since 2021, serving under President Joe Biden. Harris is the Democratic Party’s nominee for president in the 2024 election. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to be vice president, due to her Afro-Jamaican and Indian American descent. She is the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history. From 2017 to 2021, she represented California in the United States Senate. Before that, she was the attorney general of California.
Born in Oakland, California, Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She began her law career in the office of the district attorney of Alameda County. She was recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office and later to the office of the city attorney of San Francisco. She was elected district attorney of San Francisco in 2003 and attorney general of California in 2010, and reelected as attorney general in 2014. As the San Francisco district attorney and the attorney general of California, Harris was the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold each office.
Harris was the junior U.S. senator from California from 2017 to 2021. She won the 2016 Senate election, becoming the second Black woman and first South Asian American U.S. senator. As a senator, Harris advocated for stricter gun control laws, the DREAM Act, federal legalization of cannabis, and reforms to healthcare and taxation.
TR says
All you listed is small potatoes compared to being President. She failed drastically as VP with one simple task to help figure out how to fix the border problem with the countries from where the immigrates were coming from and what she do to help stop the problem? Absolutely nothing. If she couldn’t do one important job in 4 years for the security of this country. How in the world is she going to handle the other 10 problems per day that has to be handled as President? She will not because she has no clue how too. The other foreign leaders will walk all over her and eat her for lunch.
Sherry says
@tr. . . I know you are not actually interested in facts. First and foremost . . . FACT CHECKED FALSE: The claim: Kamala Harris was ‘put in charge of the border’
A July 21 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) by Donald Trump Jr. blames Vice President Kamala Harris for the country’s immigration problems.
“She was put in charge of the border and we saw the worst invasion of illegals in our history!!!”
The FACT is Harris was never the “border czar,” or put in charge of border security or halting illegal border crossings, as former President Donald Trump, Republicans and even the occasional media outlet have claimed. Instead, she was tasked in March 2021 with tackling the “root causes” of migration from the Northern Triangle and pushing its leaders — along with Mexico’s — to enforce immigration laws, administration officials said.
Harris’ backers say she demonstrated leadership by leveraging her stature to win investments that might curb migration years down the road.
“She felt — and I think she was right — that what she could do the most was help basically lead the effort to draw in investment, using the confidence that a relationship with the White House would give to investors,” said Ricardo Zúniga, a former State Department official who specialized in the Northern Triangle and who traveled with Harris to the region.
tr. . . what you conveniently forgot to mention is that Vice Presidents actually “No Authority” to change border rules and regulations.
Congress has that authority. . . However your lord and master trump STOPPED legislation that would have actually helped reform our immigration policies and increased border protection:
As Reported by many, many media outlets:
Donald Trump killed the bipartisan border bill to save his campaign.
Trump killed a bipartisan bill because he knew it would render his entire campaign irrelevant. And now, he’s visiting the Arizona border to complain.
Donald Trump is able to go to the U.S. border with Mexico and rail about a crisis because he made sure there was a crisis to rail about.
Earlier this year, Republicans in the U.S. Senate bowed to Trump’s demands and killed a bipartisan security bill introduced by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
Trump even bragged about killing the border security package, saying, “I think we killed it. I think it’s dead!
Kamala Harris has many accomplishments . . . of course you won’t see these on Fox:
Legislative and Policy Leadership
Set a new record for the most tie-breaking Senate votes cast by a VP in history
Expanded the Child Tax Credit to cut child poverty in half
Provided $450 billion in relief to 6 million small businesses
Sponsored legislation to expand and strengthen Social Security
Led the push for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, federal worker unionization, and overtime pay for farm workers
Healthcare and Public Health
Led the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis
Created the first-ever federal health and safety requirements for maternal emergency services in hospitals
Extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from 2 to 12 months to provide lifesaving coverage in 46 states
Connected 38,000 people to free 24/7 support with the new National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
Shut down scam healthcare websites
Sued drug companies for unlawful drug pricing and marketing tactics
Allowed Medicare to negotiate lower drug costs, expected to save taxpayers $6 billion
Capped the cost of insulin to $35/month for seniors
Voted against Trump’s budget cuts to Medicare and Medicaid
Reproductive Rights
Stood up for reproductive rights during Trump’s Supreme Court nominees’ confirmation hearings
Launched a national reproductive rights tour, becoming the first VP to visit a reproductive health clinic
Climate and Energy
Invested $370 billion to combat climate change and expand energy production
Economic Justice and Consumer Protection
Won $20 billion settlement for homeowners during the foreclosure crisis
Took on for-profit colleges that scammed Americans
Took on big corporations that took advantage of working people
Introduced a student loan forgiveness program for mental health professionals
Won settlements from companies that underpaid workers and violated labor laws
Announced administration’s plans to remove medical debt from credit reports
Protected seniors from fraud and abuse
Gun Violence Prevention
Oversees the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Stopped nearly 30,000 firearms sales to convicted domestic abusers
Closed the gun show loophole to ensure sellers conduct background checks
Led the fight to pass a red flag law
Global Leadership and Diplomacy
Strengthened global alliances by meeting with more than 150 world leaders
Kept Americans safe while serving on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
Judiciary and Legal Leadership
Oversaw the country’s largest state justice department
Prosecuted transnational gangs, the drug cartels and human traffickers
Presided over the vote to confirm Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Voted to confirm more women and people of color to make the judiciary look more like America
Officiated some of the nation’s first same-sex marriages
Sherry says
@tr. . . Please tell us why you think it is OK to support a twice impeached “Convicted Felon” who was found guilty of “Sexual Assault and Defamation of his Victim” a man who also has been “Indicted” for inciting an insurrection against our democracy. Why are you supporting “Criminal” trump? What does that say about your thinking ability? Your moral code, tr?
Sherry says
BTW. . . the same for land, and doug, and dennis, and jimbo along without all the other completely brainwashed maga cult members that only post complete Fox BS. Read the Kamala Harris resume I posted and then read it again. After that, post “credible facts” to PROVE Kamala Harris is not qualified to be our President.
Billy C says
Did you read that tripe before you posted it? Makes no sense and in no way supports YOUR candidate. Sorry but you are just another hater who doesn’t want to be called sexist or racist but tries to justify his stance by racist and sexist comments.
Skibum says
Wow, just the typical juvenile remark you would expect a young teenybopper to say in front of his peers to get some laughs, but supposedly YOU are not a young teenybopper, but an adult who appears incapable of making an adult argument to actually, logically support your view. And what it ends up sounding like is the same type of KKK style racial trope that infers black people are akin to monkeys who spend their time climbing around in trees. Is that really what you think of Kamala Harris? Maybe it is the white sheet obscuring your face that is not allowing all of us to hear what you are trying to say about her, and it just reflects what YOU are all about instead.
Atwp says
My vote went to Kamala. Is America ready for a woman leader? A woman of color! If history repeats itself the answer is no, if history in this country is about to change the answer is yes. We should know the answer a few days from now.
Skibum says
Misogyny and ugly gender-centric tropes are on full display once again in America, while at the same time many of those same people will try to declare that this country is not a racist country, is not prejudiced, etc., etc. And of course that includes themselves as well, all while bashing Kamala Harris about what they perceive as her lack of intellect, her heritage, even her wide smile. They intentionally mispronounce her name as a way of insulting her, they infer that she is only vice president of this country because she somehow slept her way to the top, and they have the unmitigated gall to even say with a straight face that they would for sure be willing to vote for a “qualified” female candidate… if there ever were to be such a being that could pass muster with their so-called standards and requirements. Ugly, disgraceful, and ultimately revealing about themselves is what this really is. Their words speak so much more about who they are than what competencies and qualifications a woman of color like Kamala Harris brings to the table, regardless of all of the education, her law degree, and years of experience she has under her belt as a prosecutor, a state attorney general, a congressional senator, and now as VP, second in command to the president of the United States. What more in the way of competencies and qualifications do these jaded people want? If they were to actually support and vote for a woman at all over a man… ANY man, it would probably, maybe be their own mother who they are still remembering fondly shortly after they were delivered, nestled in her comforting arms while suckling on one of her breast nipples. That is the intellect of these morons.
Land of no turn signals says says
The boarder Czar and her boy Joe wonder let at least 8 million illegal aliens and nobody knows how many terrorists in this country those are her credentials.
Ray W, says
Hello Land of no turn signals.
We do know how many convicted immigrant murderers former President Trump released from immigration custody into our population during his years in office. 308! During his term, over 92,000 criminally convicted non-citizens were released from immigration custody. Over 11,000 of them were rearrested for a wide variety of crimes, including rape and murder.
As an aside, economist after economist assert that we needed all of the immigrants who entered during the Trump and Biden years, documented or not, to help with the economic recovery from the pandemic.
So long as you are unable to distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants, your comment is just you talking to hear your head roar. Yes, roughly eight million immigrants have crossed the border, perhaps more. Most of them are legal immigrants who await hearings on ability to stay. Customs officials list over 10 million “encounters” since Biden took office. Since one person can enter, be removed, reenter, be removed again, and reenter yet again, that one person can count for three encounters. And, since millions were encountered and removed from the country, your number is wrong from the outset.
Disinformation laundering does not befit you. You can do better than this.
Sherry says
@ brainwashed land. . . Harris was never the “border czar,” or put in charge of border security or halting illegal border crossings, as former President Donald Trump, Republicans and even the occasional media outlet have claimed. Instead, she was tasked in March 2021 with tackling the “root causes” of migration from the Northern Triangle and pushing its leaders — along with Mexico’s — to enforce immigration laws, administration officials said.
Harris’ backers say she demonstrated leadership by leveraging her stature to win investments that might curb migration years down the road.
“She felt that what she could do the most was help basically lead the effort to draw in investment, using the confidence that a relationship with the White House would give to investors,” said Ricardo Zúniga, a former State Department official who specialized in the Northern Triangle and who traveled with Harris to the region.
It was actually your lord and master trump that “Killed” the immigration reform bill so he would have something to run on. See my post to tr for the details!